[UK] Guidelines Issued On Sex Change ProtectionNew guidelines have been issued to higher education institutions to help them deal better with staff and pupils who may have had a sex change. With an estimated 5,000 to 6,000 trans-gender people in the UK, the number in the higher education sector is likely to be small, but the Equality Challenge Unit issued the guidelines so that institutions are aware of the implications.[Latvia] Harsh Protests Promised for Riga Gay Pride by Latvian NationalistsLatvian 'nationalist' organisations warned today that the Gay Pride event along the 11th November Shoreline in Riga on Saturday will result in probable counter action. And the country's gay and lesbian NGO, Mozaika, was proudly flying the Rainbow Flag from its office building downtown.

[USA] [News/Commentary] DSM section 302.85As the American Psychiatric Association begins to consider revisions for the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-V), LGBT advocates say that community members need to have a series of discussions to determine how to unite around the future of Gender Identity Disorder.DSM controversy could overshadow opportunitiesWhen Julia Serano first heard of psychologist Kenneth Zucker's appointment to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) revisions group, she saw it as an opportunity to strategize.[Commentary] On the The Bay Area ReporterWhen the Bay Area Reporter published an article on the 29th of May 2008 about the DSM controversy <http://tinyurl. com/6mgqjb> , it had become quite evident that there were two sets of reactions to the appointment of Kenneth Zucker on the DSM-V committee. The first reaction seems to have been unfettered (And justifiable) anger. The second consisted of people taking a "moral high ground" and saying that a lot of the things said in the first round of discussion were more often than not, slanderous against Dr. Kenneth Zucker in particular. The Bay Area Reporter took the line followed by the second strand in this debate by seeking to represent "accurately" and "politely" the actual objections to Kenneth Zucker.

[CA, USA] Transgender Pregnancy Redefines Normal, Bridges the Gender GapThe promise of cravings, morning sickness and swollen feet has at last become a reality for Thomas and Nancy Beatie, an Oregon couple who eagerly await the birth of their first child this summer. The Beaties run their own business and bought their first home in the small town of Bend. There was nothing out of the ordinary until it was decided that Thomas, not Nancy, would be the one to carry and give birth to their child.

[CA, USA] Hate crimes against LGBTs increase in 2007Excerpt: Despite an overall decrease in the number of transgender people murdered in the Bay Area, CUAV still "feels that the transgender community is especially vulnerable to violence."[DC, USA] Jail alters transgender inmate policyThe D.C. Jail has changed the way it treats transgender inmates after the D.C. inspector general alerted officials that the agency's policy may have violated District regulations and increased the risk for assaults.[OR, USA] SHAC could cover gender surgery costsA board at Portland State has created a proposal that would add sexual reassignment surgery to the school's optional extended health insurance plan, as well as increase areas of coverage for the basic plan.[USA] [People/Music] CRETIN Front(wo)man Changing The Gender Rules Of Extreme Music, One Plastic Surgery At A TimeVocalist/guitarist Dan Martinez of the Bay Area grindcore trio CRETIN was interviewed for the July 2008 issue (#45) of Decibel magazine (website <http://www.thedeciblog.com/> ) about his decision to undergo gender reassignment surgery, essentially erasing his entire past as he set out to find the woman he always was.[USA] BlogHer Interviews Author and Activist Calpernia Addams on Living as a Transgendered WomanBlogHer, Inc. (www.blogher. com), one of the top women's online networks and the Web's number-one guide to blogs by women, today published an exclusive audio interview with author, entertainer and activist Calpernia Addams to bring her unique perspective on body image to the ongoing "Letter to My Body" initiative. This is BlogHer's third exclusive podcast in support of the campaign, which is designed to inspire self-esteem, realistic body perception and open discussion on body image amongst women.[USA] Trans parent, gay son: pride across the generations"There's a huge difference between being gay and being trans," affirms LGBT activist and parent Marti Abernathey. Many would agree, but Abernathey has a rare perspective: she is transgender, and has a gay son. Despite their differences, though, she feels they share a certain bond: "In the whole coming out process there are a lot of similarities. I think his understanding of that has helped him understand where I'm at. And vice versa." Abernathey has one child from each of two previous marriages.

[Spain] Cristina Ortiz Rodríguez (1964 - ) sex worker, singer, prisoner.Jose Antonio Ortiz Rodriguez was born in Almeria, Andalucia, Spain. At a young age she went to Madrid and transitioned. Cristina was working as a prostitute when she was discovered by Pepe Navarro. She became famous on Navarro's television show and with a single 'Veneno pa tu piel' (Poison in your skin). She became known as Cristina La Veneno (the poison).[UK] Georgina Somerset (1923 - ?) dentist.George Turtle was born with an underdeveloped penis and some female organs. His parents hesitated and then raised the child as a boy. He went to Reigate Grammar School for Boys, but didn't feel right as a boy. He did not go through puberty, and grew neither breasts nor facial hair.

Excerpt: As things stand, UK age-discrimination legislation only covers the workplace. In contrast, laws that combat discrimination on racial grounds or on grounds of sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, religion or belief are much broader, extending protection to individuals in their dealings with suppliers of goods and services.[Mexico] How Maria Met José or How "Mario" Met "Diana": Bizarre Transsexual Wedding in MexicoExcerpt: The proposed law, which may be attractive to criminals seeking to hide their identities from law enforcement, likely will face a vote in Mexico's Congress sometime this week. The law would also oblige public hospitals in the Federal District including Mexico City to perform sex-change surgeries with taxpayer money.[Singapore] Transsexualism far more common than believed, say researchersA new statistical study by Prof Femke Olyslager and Prof Emeritus Lynn Conway suggests Singapore rates for male-to-female transsexuals are over 1 in 2,000, whereas rates for female-to-male transsexuals are over 1 in 4,000.[Australia] Parents The New Trans FocusA family planning clinic plans to educate parents about transgender issues following the decision by the Family Court to allow a 12-year-old to start puberty-blocking medication.[Australia] Get Fighting FitExcerpt: Alex Ariti and Delilah Slack are two students who have blossomed under Gulliver's guidance. Both transsexuals, Ariti recently won in the Open Beginners/Intermediate division of the International Sport Kickboxing Association tournaments, while Slack took out the Open Weapons division at the Australian Martial Arts Association tournament.[CA, USA]Man is charged with hate crimeIn what was labeled a hate crime, a 34-year-old man attacked two transgender homeless men Saturday afternoon, but was arrested after one of the victims stabbed him in the leg, according to police.[USA] [Blog/Commentary] The APA’s DSM-V Development: Kenneth Zucker’s InvolvementRecently the American Psychiatric Association (APA) announced their new panel for the revision of the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-V). Named as chairperson of the work group for "Sexual and Gender Identity Disorders (GID)" is Dr. Kenneth Zucker, known for his reparative therapy work on transgender children with Dr. Susan Bradley. Additionally we have Ray Blanchard, who famously renamed "transvestism" to "transvesticfetishism," a term that is based on sexual fantasies in the DSM-IV(1994). There are other changes made by both Blanchard and Zucker. Mr. Blanchard is also the creator of the term "autogynephilia." For the sake of brevity, I will concentrate on Dr. Zucker's ideologies and the potential negative influence on DSM-V.Task Force questions critical appointments to APA’s Committee on Sexual and Gender Identity DisordersThe National Gay and Lesbian Task Force is questioning the American Psychiatric Association’s (APA) recent appointments of Kenneth Zucker, Ph.D., to chair the Committee on Sexual and Gender Identity Disorders for the revision of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-V), and Ray Blanchard, Ph.D., to serve as a committee member. These appointments are raising great concerns within the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community.[Commentary] Open Response to Jack Drescher and The APAExcerpt: Ken Zucker has made the following public statement, which clarifies his view on the diagnosis of homosexuality:The "most acute ethical issue may concern the relation between GID and a later homosexual sexual orientation. Follow-up studies of boys who have GID that largely is untreated, indicated that homosexuality is the most common long-term psychosexual outcome."

Gov. David A. Paterson has directed all state agencies to begin to revise their policies and regulations to recognize same-sex marriages performed in other jurisdictions, like Massachusetts, California and Canada.

Excerpt: I think it is important that our community know she is being set up by the press and certain "leaks" in the Army to set the Public against her and thus indirectly also against all TS people, including several TS people still serving in HM Armed Forces.[Germany] Don’t Stay Silent, Says ILGA-Europe Official at Opening of Berlin’s Memorial to GaysA memorial commemorating the tens of thousands of homosexual people persecuted during the Nazi regime was opened today in Berlin.

[CA,USA] Police: Man's attack of two transgender men a hate crimeIn what police have labeled a hate crime, a 34-year-old man attacked two transgender homeless men Saturday afternoon, but was arrested after one of the victims stabbed him in the leg, according to Sacramento police.William Lee Johnson attacked the men at about 2:01 p.m. near the Longview Drive on-ramp to I-80 near Del Paso Park, according to police records. Johnson is a "validated skinhead," according to a police report.

[USA/Mexico] Transgender activist from Wisconsin killed while on Mexico vacation"I did witness the murder and chased the accused.... The rest of our group is coping. I will say the Puerto Vallarta Police have been absolutely amazing working on this horrifying murder."U.S. activist killed while on vacation in Mexico's Puerto VallartaA gay community activist from Madison, Wisconsin, was stabbed to death and officials said Tuesday they have arrested a man who confessed to killing her. State prosecutor's official Guillermo Martin Diaz said the man told police he stabbed Felicia Melton-Smyth early Monday because she refused to pay for sex.Living with PurposeFelicia Melton-Smyth talks candidly to Our Lives about transitioning, her AIDS philanthropic work and the most important thing she's ever done.

Felicia Melton-Smyth was one of those people who take up a cause and make a difference.

And despite the fact that she stood out in a crowd, she did it largely unheralded.Melton-Smyth, 41, was stabbed to death in her hotel room Monday while vacationing with a group of friends in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. She was a volunteer with the AIDS Network in Madison for more than a decade, and her death left her friends speechless.

[España] ERC, IU e ICV piden tipificar como delito la transfobiaEsquerra Republicana, Izquierda Unida e Iniciativa per Catalunya Verds han pedido tipificar legalmente como delito la transfobia - actitudes en contra de los transexuales - , así como una ley de medidas para la integración laboral y social de estas personas.[UK] Fury of injured soldiers' families as sex-change Para captain 'wins £250,000' from ArmyThe mother of crippled paratrooper Ben Parkinson has condemned a "£250,000 payout" to the army's first sex-change officer who lost a job after refusing to wear a male uniform for a medical.Jan Hamilton, 43, has officially left the army after the Ministry of Defence settled her damages claim for unfair dismissal and sexual discrimination.[Germany] Berlin unveils controversial gay holocaust monumentFollowing years of controversy, German dignitaries on Tuesday will dedicate a memorial to the tens of thousands of gays and lesbians who were persecuted and killed in Nazi Germany.This month marks the 75th anniversary of the series of raids and public book burnings in May 1933 with which the regime of Adolf Hitler began its crusade against homosexuality.

[Roménia] Mesmo sob pressão, ativistas romenos celebram Parada GayAinda que grupos religiosos e extremistas tenham se proposto a cancelar a celebração da Parada do Orgulho Gay da Romênia, cerca de 200 ativistas marcharam pelas ruas de Bucareste, no último sábado (24).[United Arab Emirates] Dubai police crack down on cross-dressersPolice in Dubai have arrested several men and women for cross-dressing in what they said was a campaign to preserve the social values of the cosmopolitan Gulf Arab trade and tourism hub, newspapers reported on Monday.

segunda-feira, maio 26, 2008

[Brasil] Parada de São Paulo movimenta 189 milhões de reais, mas tem apenas 1 milhão de patrocínioO prefeito de São Paulo Gilberto Kassab (DEM), a senadora Fátima Cleide (PT-RO) e a deputada federal Cida Diogo (PT-RJ) participaram da coletiva de imprensa que a Associação da Parada do Orgulho GLBT (Apoglbt) promoveu na manhã deste domingo, dia 25 de maio, na sede da Federação do Comércio do Estado de São Paulo (Fecomercio) como cerimônia de abertura da 12ª Parada do Orgulho GLBT de São Paulo.Zona leste de SP fará 3ª Parada Gay no dia 6 de julhoNo próximo dia 6 de julho, haverá uma outra Parada Gay em São Paulo. Será a terceira edição da Parada da Zona Leste, região da periferia da capital, bastante populosa e carente dos serviços públicos.Parada Gay divulga público de 5 milhões sem comprovação científicaApós divulgar um público de 5 milhões de participantes no início da Parada Gay de São Paulo, os organizadores do evento evitaram confirmar o número, no final do desfile, na noite deste domingo (25). As autoridades, como a Polícia Militar e Guarda Civil, não confirmaram o dado, evitando críticas de prática do "chutômetro". Resultado: nesta segunda-feira (26), a associação que organiza a Parada promete mostrar imagens aéreas e divulgar o número final da dimensão do evento.Parada GLBTVeja imagens da 12ª edição da festa, que ocorreu este domingo (25) com 22 trios elétricos e milhões de pessoas.[UK] Sex-change paratrooper wins £250,000 for ‘hurt feelings’A former paratrooper who had a sex-change operation has won a £250,000 payout for hurt feelings after being ordered to wear a man's army uniform.Jan Hamilton, formerly Captain Ian Hamilton, was awarded the sum by the Ministry of Defence (MoD) in an out-of-court settlement after claiming that she was humiliated by the order.Sex swap para given £250k for hurt feelingsA SEX-CHANGE soldier has caused uproar by winning £250,000 damages...because the Army ordered her to wear a male uniform for a medical.[UK] Sex swap soldier attacked in pubSEX change soldier Jan Hamilton claims she was attacked in a pub -after the bloke who chatted her up found out she used to be a man.[Bahrain] Clamp on gays 'violates rights'BAHRAIN will be in breach of United Nations (UN) laws on human rights if it introduces a nationwide crackdown on homosexuals, say gay rights campaigners.[Australia] Judge allows girl, 12, to change sexA FAMILY court judge has allowed a 12-year-old girl to start a taxpayer-funded sex change procedure - in the face of objections from the child's own father.The girl, who cannot be named, has begun court-approved hormone treatment in the first step towards a total gender switch.Orders by the Family Court of Victoria also permit the girl to apply for a new birth certificate, passport and Medicare card in a boy's name.[News/Commentary] 12 Year Old 'Brainwashed' into Having Sex ChangeA court has agreed for a twelve year old girl to have a sex change operation against the wishes of relatives who say that the girl has been brainwashed from an early age to become more male like by her mother.Sex-change 'brainwash'THE cousin of a 12-year-old Victorian girl who is undergoing a sex change claims the child's mother brainwashed her daughter.Family's fury as girl, 12, allowed to have sex-change operation against father's wishesA huge ethical row has erupted over a judge's decision to allow a 12- year-old girl to have a sex change that will turn her into a teenage boy.'I am a boy, Dad'ALMOST all her life "Jess" has felt like a boy trapped in a girl's body. From the age of six, shopping trips usually ended in the boy's clothing section.Now 12, she recently told a psychiatrist her long-held dream was to overcome biology and one day live as a man - complete with wife and children.[Australia] Stuck between a frock and a card placeExcerpt: "The Anti-Discrimination Act does not protect transvestites, it protects transsexuals, but you said you live as a woman," [deputy president of the Administrative Decisions Tribunal] Ms Hennessy said. "Before the tribunal can hear the case what you have to be able to prove to the court is that sexually you are a transsexual."

Photo: Dallas Kilponen. All cross-dressed up … Paul Hurst - Anne-Maree to his friends - was refused entry to Star City because a security guard said he was "inappropriately" attired.[USA] [Commentary] Obama's 'gay' problemExcerpt: "The transgendered community has to be protected. I just don't have any tolerance for that sort of intolerance. And I think we need to legislate aggressively to protect them," Obama told the Advocate, the modern day Pravda of the pink triangle set.[MN,USA] [Commentary] Myths and facts about transgender issuesWe asked Debra Davis, executive director of the Twin Cities-based Gender Education Center (www.debradavis. org), and Walter Bockting, a psychologist in the University of Minnesota's Program in Human Sexuality, to answer some questions about transgender issues.[USA] [Blog/Commentary] Should Doctors Be Allowed To Refuse Treatment?Should doctors be able to turn patients away if they disagree with their lifestyle choice?The article reads like many pregnancy stories. The happy couple finally become pregnant against all odds and eagerly anticipates the birth of their first child. This story, however, takes a twist that many people, including doctors, find hard to fathom.

I WAS upset to read the report regarding a transsexual driving instructor being left devastated after a Muslim customer in Sheffield threatened legal action ("Gender row upset" Examiner, May 22).

Transsexuals are legally recognised in the UK, so what right has this Muslim to challenge the law? Would you see a Catholic or an Anglican kicking up such a fuss? In fact the man who is complaining is in breach of discrimination laws.

A report by Human Rights Watch says gay and transgender people in Turkey are subject to "endemic abuses", and calls on the government to act to protect them. The BBC's Sarah Rainsford met some of the victims.

Under the Canada Health Act, it is the role of the federal government to guarantee access to medical care, not restrict it. Conservative MP Pierre Poilievre's attitude towards gender reassignment surgery is ill-informed.

With an eight-month bump and a beard, he claims to be the world's first pregnant man. This week, the Mail paid Thomas Beatie a visit and discovered a tale of greed, gay rights zealotry and breathtaking cynicism.

[UK] Thanks for your help, says ex-mayor JennyCAMBRIDGE'S outgoing mayor has paid a warm tribute to people in the city for supporting her during her year in office.Jenny Bailey admitted the revelation that she had once been a man had caused her anxiety about how the year would go, before she became the First Citizen last May.

[UK]Sex change captain assaultedA MAN has been charged with assaulting Britain's first sex change soldier.James Young, 46, appeared before Blackpool magistrates accused of an attack on former Parachute Regiment captain Jan Hamilton.

[Turquia] Muçulmana, Turquia tem Parada Gay na capital.Um pouco da história gay da Turquia, país com 98% da população muçulmana, foi escrita no último sábado (17), na capital Ankara, quando mais de cem gays, entre homens, mulheres, bissexuais e transgêneros se reuniram em frente ao monumento em homenagem aos Direitos humanos para uma marcha até o Parlamento.[Canada] [Commentary] The symptom is arroganceExcerpt: Look, no doubt we're all moved by the plight of people who think they're trapped in a body that's the wrong sex. Frankly, though, the part of their body that needs examination is their head, not their private bits.[Letters to the Editor] And autism, tooHealth Minister George Smitherman and Premier Dalton McGuinty are to be praised for their progressive and humane decision to restore OHIP coverage for sex-change operations. Gender-identity disorder is a serious medical condition and, although very expensive, its treatment is called "appropriate. "[EUA] [Commentary] I CAN’T get my head around this bloke in America who appears to be pregnantThomas Beatie was born a woman, had gender reassignment, and is now supposedly carrying a child with his wife who has had a hysterectomy.Pregnant Man Thomas Beatie To Pen A MemoirENTERTAINMENT TONIGHT can confirm that Thomas Beatie will write a book about his experience as a "pregnant man."[TX,USA] Fort Worth transgender teen trying to put life back togetherIt’s been just more than a year since local transgender teen Rochelle Evans made headlines by fighting her school district for the right to be called “she” and to be herself.

Christ (who, incidentally, I don't believe was the son of god) knows why I decided to post these, but I thought they'd be interesting facts.

I realised today I was grateful to have my career, not just because it involves a lot of interesting thinking and also helping people, though mainly thinking to be honest. But also because it makes being trans sooo much easier.

Excerpt: "There is still vaguely written laws to arrest and harass anyone they chose. In Ankara the capital, there is a special police team called Balios which means hammer, and again and again transgender people told us that they've been beaten, that they've been raped by this police team and it's goal is to clean the center of the city of transgender people. And most conspicuous of all, the government does not intervene to stop it."

Excerpt: The report examines a wide range of human rights violations based on sexual orientation and gender identity. Several transgender people told Human Rights Watch how police tortured and raped them.

Andrés Duque at Babbleando has provided some valuable translations from two newspaper articles from Ecuador chronicling ex-gay and ex-transgender ministries in that country. According to El Universo, there are more than 140 such unlicensed treatment centers operating throughout Ecuador. Operating under the guise of alcohol and drug rehab centers, these ministries engage in barbaric practices which are nothing short of torture. One transgender "client" describes her experience.

This month the American Psychiatric Association announced the names of "working group" members who will guide the development of the new Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, or DSM, the codex of American psychiatry.

Julia Serano, the author of Whipping Girl: A Transsexual Woman on Sexism and the Scapegoating of Femininity ( Seal Press, 2007 ) was recently in Chicago to present her thoughts on "Transsexual and Trans Feminine Perspectives on Sexism."

This is a blog I've hesitated on writing for the last few days. You see, a few days ago my wife and I were discussing our openness with each other, and I felt it necessary to just pour my heart out to her. I'd been extremely sad for several days primarily because of my desire to live full time as a woman, as my true self. Repressing these feelings continue to hinder me, and I've been feeling like I may never get to the point where I can be free to be myself.

The Gender Expression Non-Discrimination Act (GENDA), a measure that would provide basic civil rights protections for transgendered and other gender-variant New Yorkers, may finally get a vote this spring in the New York State Assembly.

Nearly 50 years after the triumph of the Cuban Revolution, sexual minorities are at last beginning to feel that their voice is being heard and that they can finally take their place in the movement towards a more just and inclusive society.

As a transgendered person I was saddened to hear Conservative MP Pierre Poilievre's response to Ontario Health Minister George Smitherman's announcement that sex reassignment surgery would be reinstated under OHIP.

Niagara Falls Liberal MPP Kim Craitor says he was "caught by surprise" by word his government is planning to reinstate coverage for a limited number of sex-change surgeries each year under the province's publicly funded health insurance system.

Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) announced today that it will debut a new ad campaign this summer featuring transgender actress and activist Calpernia Addams. The campaign, titled This Is Our Love Story, highlights PFLAG's long-time commitment to the transgender community and urges supporters to help "transform the movement" by joining the organization' s work for transgender rights. Ads will begin appearing in pride guides this summer, and will be featured, through in-kind advertising from supporting publications, in other outlets over the coming months.

A federal district court in Texas concluded that a biologically male applicant, living life as a female, stated a viable claim under Title VII for an employer's withdrawal of its job offer ostensibly because she misrepresented her sex during the hiring process.